FLORENCE - Newton Chalmers Neely, 77, died Sunday, June 29th, 2014, at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, SC. Born on September 5th, 1936, in Rock Hill, SC, Newton was the son of the late James Pinckney and Alberta Hinnant Neely. At age fifteen, Newton scanned a magazine rack in Columbia, SC, looking for something to pass the time on a bus ride home. He picked up an issue of Theatre Arts Magazine, and discovered his life's passion within its pages. Newton went on to study and work in the theatre while at the University of South Carolina, and then later at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. During his lifetime, he was a set designer, an actor, a writer, and a director. But most of all, he was a teacher: first at Carson-Newman College, and Lambuth College, in Tennessee; and then for many wonderful years at the University of Montevallo in Alabama. Newton leaves behind two brothers, James Pinckney (Jane) Neely, Jr. of Charlotte, NC, and Julius Joe Neely of Florence, SC; four nephews, James Douglas (Leigh Ann) Neely, Joseph Newton (Kathy) Neely, Samuel Ellis (Laura) Neely, and Charles Douglass (Kelly) Neely; and eight great-nieces and nephews. His family loved him dearly. Newton spent his final moments in peace, surrounded by family and friends, listening to "Amazing Grace," being softly sung to him by a devoted and beloved former student. A perfect ending for a man who loved stories so much. He will be remembered often, and missed tremendously. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. at Cross & Crown Lutheran Church in Florence, SC, on Saturday, July 19th, 2014. Cain funeral Home is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the University of Montevallo Foundation, Station 6215, Montevallo, AL 35115. Please indicate that the check is in memory of Newton Neely.